United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday, in a joint stand against terrorism, slammed Pakistan for providing safe havens to terror outfits. Speaking at a joint press conference, while Swaraj emphasised that Pakistan needs to act against the terrorist organisations operating within the country, Tillerson said that they were putting in place a mechanism to deny these outfits the ability to launch attacks against other countries.

Tillerson said, “In my discussions in Islamabad, we were frank to conclude that there are too many terrorist outfits that find safe havens in Pakistan. We are putting in place a mechanism to deny these outfits the ability to launch attacks against other countries.” “India and the United States are natural allies. The two nations stand shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism,” he added.

Sushma Swaraj categorically said, “U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy on terrorism can only succeed when Pakistan takes an action against the terror groups.” The U.S. Secretary of State, who is on a two-day visit to India, yesterday made his inaugural trip to Pakistan, where he reiterated Trump’s message that Islamabad must increase its efforts to eradicate the militants and terrorists operating within the country. “We want to work with Pakistan in a positive way as we think this is in their interest in the longer term,” Tillerson said. Tillerson arrived in India last evening for his two-day visit to India. He is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence.

The U.S. Secretary of State’s visit to India is a part of his five-nation tour that includes Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Switzerland alongside. Yesterday, the U.S. Secretary of State paid an unannounced visit to Baghdad, just hours after returning from a similar surprise visit to Afghanistan. During his visit, he met Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who accused the former of interfering in Iraqi affairs. ..

US ready to provide best tech for India’s military modernisation: Tillerson

The US on Wednesday backed India’s emergence as a “leading power” and promised to provide the “best technology” for its military modernisation. “US backs India’s emergence as a leading power and will continue to help Indian capabilities in providing security for the region. We are ready to provide the best technology for India’s military modernisation,” said US secretary of state Rex Tillerson in a joint statement with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj. Tillerson added that he was “looking forward to discussing deals for F-16 and F-18 fighter jets with India.”

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson discussed ways to step up cooperation to combat terrorism in all its forms, during a meeting here on Wednesday. Modi, while welcoming Tillerson on his maiden visit to the country, noted with appreciation the firm upward trajectory in the bilateral strategic partnership following the positive and far-reaching talks with President Trump in June this year. Modi shared the resolve expressed by Tillerson on further taking further steps to strengthen bilateral engagement.

The two leaders affirmed that a strengthened India-US partnership is not just of mutual benefit to both countries, but has significant positive impact on the prospects for regional and global stability and prosperity. In the context of President Trump’s new South Asia Policy, Prime Minister noted the commonality in the objectives of eradicating terrorism, terrorist infrastructure, safe havens, and support, while bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. In this regard, Tillerson exchanged views on his recent travels in the region with Modi. Earlier in the day, Secretary Tillerson also held detailed discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday told United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that New Delhi wanted to retain its small embassy in North Korea. Responding to a question that if India is ready to cut diplomatic ties with North Korea, Swaraj said,” Trade relations with Pyongyang are at a minimum, but it is important to continue having an embassy in the country.” “I told Tillerson that some of your friendly nations must have an embassy there in North Korea for any possible communication,” Swaraj said after meeting Tillerson in New Delhi.

India and North Korea have maintained diplomatic offices in each other’s capitals, though New Delhi recently banned trade of most goods with the country, except in food or medicine.

India had informed the US that it has "minimal" trade with North Korea, and that there was a small Indian embassy in Pyongyang which should stay there so that some channels of communication remain open.